Nearly three decades of leadership in affordable housing efforts
Extensive experience working with Arlingtonians
Led award-winning projects
ARLINGTON, VA – June 28, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Arlington County today named David Cristeal, currently in an acting position as housing director, Arlington’s Housing Director.
“The County conducted a nationwide search for this key position and had a strong pool of applicants,”” said County Manager Barbara Donnellan. “We chose David because he has a solid track record of working successfully with Arlington community members and non-profit partners to plan and preserve affordable housing,” said Donnellan. “We know he’s the right person to carry out Arlington’s aggressive affordable housing program.”
Cristeal has served as the County’s Housing Development Supervisor for nine years. In that role, he led his team to enhance and implement affordable housing financing and planning tools; worked with partners to leverage federal and state funding; and made policy recommendations to address the County’s affordable housing challenges.
“David’s experience with the financial tools we use to develop affordable housing really set him apart from the strong pool of applicants,” said Robert Brosnan, director of Arlington’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development.
Cristeal’s efforts, through the County’s development partners, helped Arlington preserve or build more than 2,300 affordable housing units in approximately 34 apartments from 2004 to 2012. His team provided recommendations for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) on 20 developments totaling $120 million. AHIF is a low-interest revolving loan that incentivizes developers to build affordable housing.
In FY14, the Board approved $12.5 million for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF). The amount is the largest allocation in Arlington’s history to continue to support the development of affordable housing.
“I am looking forward to working with the community on ambitious efforts along Columbia Pike and across the County to ensure Arlington retains housing stock affordable to people of all income levels,” said Cristeal. “We need to explore additional financing opportunities to ensure the units are preserved and new ones are built.”
Award Winning Affordable Housing Planning and Development
Cristeal worked with the community to develop the affordable housing recommendations for the Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Area Plan, an award-winning 30-year roadmap for ensuring the preservation of affordable housing units as the area gets redeveloped.
Early in his career here, Cristeal was the lead housing staffer on the award-winning vPoint and Buckingham Villages projects.
Cristeal has more than 27 years of working in both non-profits and local government to develop programs and tools to support affordable housing. He came to Arlington from Wake County, North Carolina, where he served as Housing Director and as Housing and Community Revitalization Director. In Wake County, he led efforts in the planning and implementation of community development, affordable and supportive housing and homeless services programs for low- and moderate- income individuals and families.
Cristeal earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geography and City Planning from University of Wisconsin – Platteville and a Master’s in Regional Planning from University of North Carolina.
An Arlington resident, he enjoys biking to work, hiking, backpacking, camping, and traveling.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the “10 miles square” parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation’s Capital. Slightly smaller than 26 square miles, it is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, and one of only a handful with the prized Aaa/AAA/AAA bond rating. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods and quality schools, and has received numerous awards for Smart Growth and transit-oriented development. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world — including the Pentagon — Arlington stands out as one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
Media Contacts
Helen Duong
703-228-5027
